Supporting frame for window-regulator mechanism



April 7, 1931. E. L. ACKERMAN SUPPORTING FRAME FOR WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM Filed Mafch 25, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY.

April 1931- E. L. ACKERMAN 1,800,001

SUPPORTING FRAME FOR WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM Filed March 23, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i i W I I NV EN TOR.

Edward Z.1%f7rerman ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD. L. ACKERMAN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO ACKERMAN-BLAESSEB- FEZZEY, INC., DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN Application filed March 23, 1928. Serial No. 264,121.

This invention relates to window regulators and the object of the invention is to provide a window regulator including a frame member for the door with which the '5} regulator is utilized,the framemember and regulator being formed integrally.

Another object of the invention is to provide a'frame member on which the different parts of the window regulator are mounted, the frame member forming part of the regulator. i

A further object of the invention is to provide a window regulator including a door frame member forming a support for the different parts of the window regulator mechanism which are mounted thereon.

These objects and the several novel features of the invention are hereinafter more fully described and claimed and the preferred form of construction by which these objects are attained is shownin the accompanying drawings in which- Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a w ndow regulator and frame embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation thereof.

Fig. 3is an enlarged section taken on l1ne 3- 3 of Fig. 2. i

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line P4 of Fi 2.

Fig. 5 is. a perspective view of the rear sideof the frame member on which the regulator mechanism is mounted.

The device comprises a frame member 1 which is adapted to be secured across the door frame in an automobile body by means of screws inserted through the apertures 2 shown in Fig. 1 and threaded into the adja cent door frame. The frame member 1 is provided with strengthening ribs 3 formed there in intermediate its ends to stiffen the sheet metal frame member. This frame member 1 is provided with an inturned upper edge or strengthening flange 4 and 1s also provlded with a depending portion 5 shown 1n Figs. 1, 2 and 5. In forming this frame member an arcuate slot 6 is cut through the metal and the portion 5 of the metal is offset to one side of the plane of the frame member as w1ll be understood from Figs. 3 and 5 so that the portion above the slot 6 forms a depending lip spaced from the metal surface of the offset portion 5. The lower edge of the frame member including the depending portion 5 is provided with an inturned flange or edge 7 which stiifens the lower edge of the metal frame member and depending portion. A rotatable member 8 is provided as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 having cylindrical portions9 rotatably mounted in the depending portion 5 and in the housing 10 secured thereto. The housing 10, as will be understoodfrom Figs. 1, 3 and 4., is provided with four extending lugs 11 which extend through apertures in the depending portion 5 and are peened over to hold them in place. This housing 10 combines with the depending frame portions 5 to provide a chamber in which the counter balancing spring 12 is entirely enclosed. One end of this spring is secured in the slot 13 in the member 8 and the opposite end of the spring is provided with a hook end 14 engaging in an aperture in the housing 10. The member 8, which is rotatably mounted in the housing 10 and portion 5, isprovided with flattened portions 15 on the ends and a gear segment 16 is secured to one end 15 while a regulator arm 17 is secured to the opposite end 15. By this arrangement when the member 8 is rotated in the stationary housing members 5 and 10 the gear segment 16 and arm 17 are rotated therewith. The arm 17 is provided with an enlarged hub having an arcuate recess 30 shown in Figs. 2 and 4 and the hous ing 10 is provided with a struck up lug .31 riding in the recess 30 and limiting turning movement of the arm 17 in either direction. The gear segment 16, as will be understood from Figs. land 2, extends beneath the lip 6 and meshes with the gear 18. Asshown in Figs. 3 and 5 the depending portion 5 is provided withan arcuate rib 19 against which the gear segment 16 rides and an annular rib 20 is provided in this portion to space the gear segment from the depressed portion 5 and to reduce the friction between these two members. The housing 10 is also provided with an annular rib 21 to reduce the friction between the rotatable arm 17 and the housing 10.. a The spring12 tendsto raise the arm 17 and thus counter balances the weight of the sash supported by this arm. At the upper end the arm 17 is provided with a roller 22 riding in a metal way 23 secured to the lower edge of the sash and by this connection the turning of the arm 17 raises and lowers the sash. The gear 18 is rotatably mounted on a'shaft 24 which extends through the extruded opening 25 in the frame member 1 and a housing 26 is secured to this frame member as shown infFlgs. 1, 3: and 5 by means of the three apertures 271 provided therefor. This housing contains a coiled spring 28 which ed. and allows rotation of the shaft 2 and gear 18 to raiseor lower the sash. Turning movement ofthe gear 18 by movement of the gear segment 16 however causes expansion of: the spring 28 into tight engagement with the wall of-the housing thus preventing rotation of the gear 18 in either direction. This device, however, forms no part of the present invention. 'Y

The lower end of the housing 26 isprovided with a flange 29 and the gear segment 16 moves-between thisflange and the depending lip 6 of the frame member 1. The flange 7, aswill be notedfrom Fig. 5, provides a stiffening connection between the depending end 5 and thebo dy portion of the frame member so, that while the portion 5 is depressed. it is still connected to the member lwith sufhcient strength to properly support the parts of the winClOW regulator. The frame member 1 togeth er with the parts of the window regulator may be. positioned ona door frame of an automobile body and secured inposition by means of screws threaded through the aperture'2 and thus the entire regulator assembly may be secured in place as aunit. A

"From the foregoing description it becomes evident that the device is simple and efficient in'operation, reduces the assembly labor on an automobile body and provides a device which accomplishesthe objects described; Having thus fully described my invention, its utility and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is' 1. A supporting frame fora window regulator; mechanism, comprising a metal plate havinga portion. at'its lower edge, offset to one side ofthe surface of the remainder thereofgthe lower edge of the frame member and of set p rti nbei gprovi d wi h a p iph- 6 eral strengthening flange, said frame mem her having a slot opening through the edge of the offset portion, a housing secured to theoffset portion and forming therewith a chamber for a part of the regulator mechanism to which the regulatorarm is attached, said housing having a struck up-lug positioned to limit rotative. movement of the regulator arm in either direction, and an operating means for said arm supported by the frame member above the offset portion.

2. A supporting frame for a window regulator mechanism, comprising a sheet metal plate having a depending portion at its lower edge offset to one side of the plane thereof ,a continuousfiange extending along the lower edge of the fr'ameand about the edge of the depending ofiset portion, the plate having a slot opening through the edge of the oifsetportion, a sheet metal housing secured to the offset portion within the flange and with the said offset portion providing a chamber, saidhousing on the side opposite the ofiset portion having outpressed parts and the depending portionforming theopposite side thereof likewise having outpressed parts for the purpose described, said plate further having strengthening ribs formed therein.

3. A supporting frame for a window regue lator mechanism, comprising a sheet metal plate having a depending portion at its lower edge offset to one side of the plane of the plate, there being a slot through the edge of the offset portion at its point of engagement with the plate providing a depending lip extending downwardly in'the plane of the frame member, saidjoifset portion having the metal thereof struck up outwardly from the surface to form a bearing for a regulator element'and a housing secured to the ofiset por- "EDWARD ACKERMAN, 

